No time to waste – World Biogas Association hosts side event at COP28 in Dubai on the role of the waste sector in delivering the Global Methane Pledge

• The global biogas trade body will host a COP28 official side event in partnership with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) and the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development (IGSD)
• The session will take place in SE Room 5 in the Blue Zone on 1st December (16.45-18.15 local time – 12.45-14.15 GMT) – and will be livestreamed.
• The waste sector (ie. organic wastes in landfills and open dumps, wastewater) is the third largest source of all anthropogenic methane emissions
• To be consistent with IPCC 1.5 °C scenarios, methane emissions from the waste sector should be reduced by approximately 30-35% below 2020 levels by 2030 and nearly 55% by 2050.
• Launched at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, the Global Methane Pledge commits signatory countries to take voluntary action to cut global methane emissions by at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030. Over 150 countries have signed to date.

The World Biogas Association (WBA) has joined forces with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) and the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development (IGSD) to host a panel discussion looking at how the waste sector can reduce its methane emissions through better management of organic waste and recycling through anaerobic digestion.  The event is also supported by GHD.

The expert speakers at the “No time to waste – the role of the waste sector in achieving the Global Methane Pledge” event will provide insights into the challenges and opportunities to reduce methane emissions from the waste sector, and what is needed from all stakeholders to overcome barriers and deliver on their industry’s objectives.

Confirmed speakers:

• Martina Otto, Head of Secretariat, Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC),
• Carlos Silva Filho, President, International Solid Waste Association (ISWA),
• Charlotte Morton OBE, Chief Executive, World Biogas Association (WBA),
• Robert Dysiewicz, Vice President, Integrated Utilities – Future Energy, GHD,
• Zachary Tofias, Director of Food and Waste, C40 Cities.

The session will also feature senior representatives of two signatory countries to the Global Methane Pledge which are focussing on reducing their methane emissions from the waste sector

“Current waste management systems are not coping with rapidly increasing waste generation,” explains Charlotte Morton OBE, Chief Executive of WBA.  “Waste reduction, through circular economy approaches and applying the waste hierarchy, is critical to addressing the issues caused by waste and its detrimental impacts on human and ecosystem health as well as our climate.

“One of the greatest potentials is in improving the treatment and disposal of solid waste. Organic waste, in particular, can be transformed into biogas and biomethane through anaerobic digestion, and the remaining digestate can be used as a biofertiliser. It’s a win-win solution. Anaerobic digestion is a mature technology that not only reduces methane emissions but also displaces fossil fuels in the energy and agriculture sectors. Time is running out though and that’s why it’s important that delegates at COP28 and policy makers around the world hear this message.”

WBA will also exhibit alongside Greener Impact International (GII) in the COP28 Blue Zone from 1st to 3rd December – Booth 17.

If you are attending COP28 in Dubai, please come along to SE Room 5 in the Blue Zone on 1st December 16.45-18.15 local time – if not, please register HERE to watch online (12.45-14.15 GMT)

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For further information, contact:

Jocelyne Bia, Senior Communications Consultant
e: jbia@worldbiogasassociation.org; tel: +44 (0)20 3716 0592

Notes to Editors:

Launched at COP22 in Marrakesh in 2016, the World Biogas Association is the global trade association for the biogas, landfill gas and anaerobic digestion (AD) sectors, and is dedicated to facilitating the recycling of all organic wastes and residues through biogas globally. WBA believes that the global adoption of biogas technologies is a multi-faceted opportunity to:

• prevent the pollution of water tables, rivers, and oceans, methane and other greenhouse gas emissions, air quality and other human health issues caused by the 105bn tonnes of organic wastes generated by humans globally each year, and instead,
• produce clean, renewable energy, bioCO2 natural fertilisers and other value bioproducts, creating millions of jobs and supporting economic growth. www.worldbiogasassociation.org